Question

Using height (tallness/dwarfness) of a plant as an example, show that genes control the characteristics or traits in an organism.

Explain with an example, how genes control the characteristics (or traits).

Answer 1

A gene is the section of DNA on a chromosome that codes the formation of a protein controlling a specific characteristic of the organism. Suppose, a plant progeny possesses gene for the characteristic called 'tallness'. The gene for tallness will give instructions to the plant cells to generate many plant-growth hormones due to which the plant will grow tall. On the other hand, if the plant has the gene for shortness, less plant-growth hormones will be produced, due to which the plant will not grow much and remain a dwarf plant.